SINGAPORE celebrated the official opening of phases 3 and 4 of PSA's Singapore Terminal's Pasir Panjang Terminal (PPT) this week, 43 years to the day the first containership called in the Lion City.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong launched the S$3.5 billion (US$2.61 billion) development that will bring local container capacity to 50 million TEU at full build out by 2018.
It is also expected to boost Singapore throughput 40 per cent to 50 million TEU every year, reported the Straits Times.
Said Prime Minister Lee: "The MV Nihon the first container ship that called at our port carried a mere 300 containers. It was not a game changer in itself, but it was the beginning of a game changer."
Today, Singapore's container port has grown 1,400 times from when it first started, and is the world's largest transshipment port and second largest container port behind Shanghai.
With its first berths now operational phases 3 and 4 of PPT will have a total of 15 berths with 6,000 metres of quay, automated rail mounted gantry cranes, that do not require operators.
Instead, crane specialists monitor the operations and step in when necessary, a move expected to reduce manpower costs and improve productivity.
In the longer term, even though PPT phases 3 and 4 are only just opening, Singapore plans to consolidate all its container terminals in Tuas in the far west of island, with a total capacity of 65 million TEU.
Mr Lee said Singapore had never stopped investing in upgrading its port because it is crucial to the city state's economy.
In 1991, it was decided to expand Pasir Panjang Terminal so Singapore could handle 35 million TEU, which was the throughput of 2014. In 2004, expecting growth, the decision was taken to expand the terminal to handle 50 million TEU a year.
"These new berths will enable us to better serve mega ships and make us even more efficient," said Mr Lee.
PORTS
24 June 2015 - 20:56
PSA has opened in Singapore Pasir Panjang container terminal
SINGAPORE celebrated the official opening of phases 3 and 4 of PSA's Singapore Terminal's Pasir Panjang Terminal (PPT) this week, 43 years to the day the first containership called in the Lion City.
PORTS
24 June 2015 - 20:56
PSA has opened Pasir Panjang container terminal in Singapore
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